Madharasi, directed by A.R. Murugadoss and starring Sivakarthikeyan, Rukmini Vasanth, Vidyut Jammwal, and Biju Menon, aims to mix social commentary with mass entertainment. While the film delivers moments of power and emotional depth, it also suffers from predictability and old-school storytelling.
Story and Themes
At its heart, Madharasi is a battle against the spread of gun culture in Tamil Nadu. The plot follows Raghu Ram (Sivakarthikeyan), a man on the edge of despair, who becomes an unlikely ally for an NIA officer (Biju Menon) trying to stop a dangerous syndicate led by Virat (Vidyut Jammwal).
Thematically, the film is not just about action—it explores grief, empathy, and the struggles of a man who feels disconnected from life. Murugadoss tries to bring back the emotional undertones that once defined his best work, using Raghu’s quirks and backstory to add depth. However, while the first half strikes a balance between drama and thrills, the latter half leans too heavily on formula, losing some of its bite.
Performances
Sivakarthikeyan shoulders the film with one of his most layered roles to date. His Raghu Ram is unpredictable, funny in flashes, and deeply vulnerable, making the character engaging even when the screenplay falters. He shares enjoyable chemistry with Biju Menon, who brings restraint and quiet strength as the NIA officer caught in a deadly mission.
Vidyut Jammwal looks the part of a menacing villain and adds physical intensity, but the writing leaves him underutilized. Rukmini Vasanth appears graceful and sincere, yet her role is too thinly sketched to make a real impact. While the supporting cast keeps the film afloat in key stretches, Madharasi ultimately remains Sivakarthikeyan’s show.
Technical Craft
- Direction: Murugadoss attempts to merge social issues with commercial cinema, but the screenplay struggles with repetition and lacks the sharpness of his earlier hits like Ghajini or Thuppakki.
- Music: Surprisingly, Anirudh Ravichander’s soundtrack is underwhelming. The background score works in parts but doesn’t leave a lasting impact.
- Cinematography: Sudeep Elamon’s camerawork adds polish to the action sequences, making them visually engaging.
- Editing: A. Sreekar Prasad keeps the pacing taut in the first half, but the second half drags, making the 167-minute runtime feel stretched.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The film’s strengths lie in Sivakarthikeyan’s performance, which gives Raghu Ram an eccentric yet relatable edge, along with slickly staged action sequences that keep the first half lively. Biju Menon lends weight to the narrative, and there are glimpses of Murugadoss regaining his ability to fuse entertainment with relevant social themes.
On the flip side, the second half loses steam with a predictable screenplay, stretched runtime, and an underwhelming romance that adds little to the story. Vidyut Jammwal’s villain lacks depth, while Rukmini Vasanth’s character feels like an afterthought. The music, usually a highlight in a Murugadoss–Anirudh collaboration, disappoints, leaving the film with less impact than it promises.
Final Verdict
Madharasi isn’t the grand comeback AR Murugadoss fans might have hoped for, but it isn’t a complete letdown either. Sivakarthikeyan’s performance and a handful of gripping action moments make it worth a watch, though the stretched narrative and formulaic writing keep it from reaching its full potential.
Bullseye Rating:★★★ (3/5 stars)
Madharasi is currently running in theatres.
Sivakarthikeyan anchors AR Murugadoss’ Madharasi with a layered performance, but despite slick action and an emotional core, the film stumbles in its second half with predictable storytelling.
